Living well at home starts with strong community support
For many Australians, home is where they feel safest, most comfortable and most connected. It is also where many people wish to receive care, spend their final months and be surrounded by the people who matter most.
Compassionate Communities Australia is working to strengthen the community networks that help people live, care, age, die and grieve well at home. By building community capability alongside health and aged care services, we can help ensure more people receive the support they need where they feel they belong.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Home is where community matters most
Home is more than a place. It is where relationships are built, families gather and communities come together.
Many Australians want to remain at home for as long as possible as they age or live with serious illness. They also want to be surrounded by the people they know and trust.
While health services provide essential clinical care, much of the emotional, social and practical support people need comes from family, friends, neighbours and local communities.
When communities are connected, prepared and confident to help, people are more likely to feel supported throughout life’s most challenging experiences.
OUR ADVOCACY STATEMENT
Building communities that support people at home
The Challenge
Many Australians wish to remain at home as they age or experience serious illness, yet individuals and family carers often feel isolated, overwhelmed or unsure where to turn for support.
Communities want to help, but people are not always connected, informed or confident enough to know how.
Our Vision
Communities where everyone feels safe, supported and connected to live, care, age, die and grieve well at home.
Communities where neighbours, families, friends, volunteers and local organisations work alongside health services to provide practical, emotional and social support.
What Needs to Change
We believe stronger support at home can be achieved by:
✔ Encouraging earlier conversations and planning.
✔ Improving death and grief literacy across the community.
✔ Strengthening neighbourhood networks and local connections.
✔ Supporting family carers and recognising their vital contribution.
✔ Making practical resources easier to access.
✔ Encouraging collaboration between communities and health services.
✔ Building community confidence to provide practical support.
Working Together
Creating communities that support people at home requires collaboration between:
- Individuals and families
- Carers
- Friends and neighbours
- Community organisations
- Home care providers
- Health professionals
- Local governments
- Volunteers
- Community leaders
Together we can create communities where people feel supported to remain at home for as long as possible, with dignity, confidence and connection.
BULIDING COMMUNITY CAPABILITY
Strong communities make home possible
Communities already provide much of the care people receive throughout life.
By strengthening community capability, we help people feel more confident to support one another through practical acts of care, shared responsibility and meaningful connection.
Whether it’s preparing meals, offering transport, checking in regularly or simply being present, every action contributes to stronger communities and better experiences for individuals and families.
FROM ISOLATION TO CONNECTION
Every small action matters
Many people experiencing ageing, serious illness or grief are surrounded by people who genuinely want to help but don’t know how.
By improving community knowledge, encouraging conversations and strengthening local networks, we can turn uncertainty into confidence and isolation into connection.
Communities don’t need to do everything.
They simply need to know how to do something.
WATCH THE NATIONAL FORUM
Hear the conversation
The 2025 Compassionate Communities Australia National Forum explored how stronger neighbourhoods, carers, volunteers and community organisations can help people live well at home through ageing, serious illness, caregiving, dying and grief.
Watch the discussion to hear practical examples, emerging ideas and opportunities for communities and services to work together.
PRACTICAL ACTION
Building support where people live
Every community has the capacity to strengthen support for people living at home.
Practical actions might include:
- Helping someone with shopping or meals.
- Offering transport to appointments.
- Checking in on neighbours and carers.
- Encouraging conversations about planning ahead.
- Connecting people with local services and support.
- Building neighbourhood networks.
- Sharing trusted resources.
Small actions, taken together, can make a significant difference.
RELATED RESOURCES
Looking for practical information about caring for someone at home, planning ahead, grief support or building stronger community connections?
Australia’s Community Resource Hub brings together trusted organisations, practical guides, research and resources to help individuals, families, carers and communities.
Compassionate Communities Australia is the national organisation building community capability through advocacy, practical resources, partnerships and community-led action.
